Take My Breath Away

While browsing the fabulous store Terrain, I found this marvelous, awe-inspiring necklace. At first glance, it looked like a tiny stack of glistening raw metals and slate, freshly cut out of a mountain-side in northern most New York or southern Vermont. What caught my attention were the raw cut, tiny slabs. Made of pyrite, gold, zircon, sterling silver and brass, it's no wonder that I'm taken to another place. The supple deerskin tie at the end adds the perfect juxposition of high/low. It's casual with the raw hide leather look, reminiscient of my High School days, when we wore a piece, knotted around our necks, to profess how cool and preppy we were. Anyway, back to the necklace. It glistens in the light. It's upscale without being uptight, due to it's style of raw, jagged cut stones and stacked in a very casual, "devil may care" attitude. I'm simply in love and must have this item. STAT.

Native Rock Necklace, $368.00, Style No. 26442251; www.shopterrain.com.

Mercado Global

While visiting the amazing store Terrain last week, I stumbled upon this groovy clutch. It's where bohemian meets chic, hence the term, "Boho Chic". I immediately fell in love because of it's beautiful Indigo Blue Tie Dyed Fabric, Orange and White Diamond Weave and it's classic Envelope Clutch shape. Perfect for a Destination Beach Wedding, with feet in the sand or a night out with friends, sipping on Mojito's under the stars.

Anyway, I took a couple of pictures of it, came home and googled the name of the Designer/Company "Mercado Global". The back story is even more inspiring. In 2004, two college students founded Mercado Global to address the debilitating poverty they witnessed on a trip to rural Latin America. Today, they are 400 artisans in 30 communities across Guatemala, creating products that appear in retail stores throughout North America. Hand woven and tie dyed fabrics saturated in colors of Indigo and Coral, for pillows and handbags, as well as hand crafted jewelry, all original pieces indigenous of their region. Their mission: to link rural indigenous artisans to international markets and break the cycle of poverty.

Please take a moment to visit their website. Their story, along with each work of art, is beautiful and inspiring.

http://www.mercadoglobal.org/collections

Or, since the clutch is sold out on their website, http://www.shopterrain.com/bags-footwear/sunrise-clutch/productOptionIDs/e6734a6b-b933-420c-bb64-01c1fa0d6d49.

Bridal Bling

Oh how I'd love to be a bride this season. I've fallen in love with several pairs of beautiful, "to die for" chandelier earrings. I'd most certainly purchase the earrings first and then find a dress to coordinate with them. I'd definitely be laughed at and perhaps even scolded about it, but who cares? When it comes to fashioning oneself, it should most certainly be based on passion and dreams; especially when it comes to a girl's wedding day. It is a day filled with hope, dreams and love. If we can't wear what our heart desires on this special day, then really, when can we? The first pair, pictured above just make me SWOON. The opaque optic white and cream colored stones, mixed with the bling of the crystals is just DREAMY. The proportion of the traditional chandelier shape is just perfect. It's where bohemian meets luxe. The second pair, below, are equally beautiful, but more ethereal. Gold plated with large multi-faceted gemstones in citrine, lemon quartz and amethyst, I can picture wearing them at a destination wedding on a Greek Island. The third pair are all about bling and just scream "elegant soiree". Made of shimmering glass crystals, silver, gold and leather, they are definitely fit for a bride, if not a queen. Honestly, I want all three! First pair, "Coterie Chandeliers", $215, http://www.bhldn.com/shop-shoes-accessories-jewelry-earrings/coterie-chandeliers/productoptionids/f314d873-ef50-4ba8-88ab-7e634f1f2445. Second pair, "Arabella Earring", $545.00, http://www.calypsostbarth.com/accessories/jewelry/view-all/arabella-earring. Third pair, "Sunset Blvd Earring", $215.00, http://www.calypsostbarth.com/accessories/jewelry/earrings/sunset-blvd-earring.

Little Clusters of Light

I simply adore these earrings. They look like little clusters of light. Tiny gems, in their raw state, without adornment, letting the cut of the gem and the gem itself, speak for itself. They are glamorous, yet simple and raw. I'd wear them with a cocktail dress while attending a wedding, with an oxford shirt, cardigan and pants for the office or with a blouse and skirt or cool jeans to go out to dinner. This is when purchasing an item makes sense; it makes one's heart sing, yet is practical, because it can be worn in multiple ways, or maybe even anything. "Green Amethyst Drop Earrings",$298.00, Style No. 26978486 at Terrain. http://www.shopterrain.com/jewelry-earrings/green-amethyst-drop-earrings/productOptionIDs/9f37db3b-5454-4bc0-9b60-9ec34216d5a3

Cheap & Chic

Top 5 reasons I love this blouse: 1. Can be worn on any body type. 2. High/Low hem. 3. Simple "Dove Print"; very on point. 4. Multiple use; can be worn with jeans, pants, skirt, etc. 5. PRICE! At $17.80, it's a fun, chic, updated piece that anyone can afford. Who said high fashion was only to be attained at a premium?! Blouse "Dove Print High-Low Shirt", $17.80. Forever 21. http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=top_collared-buttondown-shirts&ProductID=2048301421&VariantID=

Easy Breezy

To me, this is the epitomy of Summer. Easy, breezy and fun. After a long winter of wearing drab colors, it's exciting to finally break free of conforming colors and clothes and put on a fun tie dyed dress. Just get up and go with this fun, summer dress. Throw on to go shopping, to the beach or out to lunch with a friend. Dress "Pom Pom Drift Dress", 100% Rayon, $185, at Calypso St. Barth: http://www.calypsostbarth.com/clothing/dresses/mid-length-87/pom-pom-drift-dress.

Un Americano nel Mediterraneo

Oh, how I adore this look. Emilio Pucci inspired. I can just picture it: floating around the Mediterranean, on some sort of boat, off the coast of Southern Italy. Sipping San Pellegrino Sparkling Water, with a wedge of lemon or a glass of Prosecco, while marveling at the beauty of the coastline. Just simply relaxing, enjoying and living, while looking terribly chic without a care in the world, other than contemplating which seafood dish to have for pranzo (dinner). Top & Pant in the Anthropologie Summer 2013 Catalogue. Top "Slantwise Peplum Tank", by Leifsdottir, $58; Pant "Tertiary Deco Palazzos", by Harlyn, $158; Short necklace "Sailorbloom Necklace", $38; Long necklace "Bijouterie Long Layering Necklace", $32. Dress in the Michael Kors Summer 2013 Catalogue. Dress "Argyle Print Dress", $99.50; Necklace "Multi-Chain Necklace", $175; Watch "Camille Mid-Size Watch", $250; Bag "Weston Large Top-Zip Shoulder Bag", $298. Similar scarf "Retro Hexagon Scarf", $99.50 (strangely enough, scarf pictured on the Model's head isn't mentioned).

Mosaic Treasure

It's that time of year, when all things are exciting, fresh and new. A time of rebirth. A time when the birds are chirping and flowers are in bloom. The scent of fresh cut grass and blooming cherry trees floating in the air. Time to weed the garden, plant flowers and barbeque. Or just simply sit outside to "stop and smell the roses". I love this little table. It's a piece of art. It looks like a tile mosaic; it reminds me of the mosaics that I saw while visiting the lovely town, Toledo in Spain. So classic, yet updated with silver zinc legs. Lovely whether one is sitting by oneself sipping a fresh glass of homemade lemonade or gathering with a friend and chatting over a glass of pinot grigio. Tile Top Garden Table, $398.00, Style No. 26918177. http://www.shopterrain.com/new-outdoor-living/tile-top-garden-table/productOptionIDs/d6c33f2d-4017-4df6-8f63-4f11c74d9058 or visit Terrain in Westport, CT.